AroundPhillyhttp://www.aroundphilly.com/blog
Tue, 03 Dec 2013 20:58:49 +0000enhourly1Subscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with NewsAlloySubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with Attensa for OutlookSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with FlurrySubscribe with WikioSubscribe with Daily RotationWe're everywhere in Philly so you don't have to be. Get insider information on bars, clubs, new restaurants and events. Plan the perfect trip for friends or family. Your guide to the city and its culture.Pick of the Week: Spinning Plateshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AroundPhilly/~3/dflI3Nch_sI/
http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/11/06/pick-of-the-week-spinning-plates/#commentsWed, 06 Nov 2013 20:54:35 +0000Gary Kramerhttp://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/?p=33016Spinning Plates Watching all the food being prepared and presented by the three main chefs in Spinning Plates, it is hard not to want to have a meal at all of the restaurants: Chicago’s Alinea, named one of the country’s best; Breitbach’s the oldest bar and restaurant in Iowa; and [...]]]>

Spinning Plates Watching all the food being prepared and presented by the three main chefs in Spinning Plates, it is hard not to want to have a meal at all of the restaurants: Chicago’s Alinea, named one of the country’s best; Breitbach’s the oldest bar and restaurant in Iowa; and La Cocina de Gabby, an Arizona eatery. This documentary profiles Grant Achatz, whose cooking is a deft mix of art, craft and science, and contrasts his experiences with those of the Brietbach and Martinez families. Achatz offers up a truly sensory experience—preparing smoldering oak leaves and frozen olive oil lozenges viewers will no doubt savor. But these gastronomical delicacies are just as mouthwatering as the fried chicken being made at Breitbach’s, or the tamales Gabby cook for her precious few customers. While Spinning Plates showcases all of the food well, it is less successful in presenting the various stories. Achatz, a culinary superstar, takes over most of the narrative, although his tale, which features a life threatening illness, is as remarkable as his food. As the Brietbach and Martinez families each suffer their own tragedies as they try to run a restaurant, Spinning Plates does engage the emotions. Filmmaker Joseph Levy gets across the “dignity of work” theme as well as the idea of cooking being a labor of love for these chefs, but he fails to answers some questions he raises about some the difficult financial burdens all of the restaurateurs face. As a result, Spinning Places engages the eyes with the delicious images, but it fails to provide sufficient food for thought.

How I Live NowStylish at times, this film adaptation of Meg Rosoff’s novel suffers from too many shifting tones. It starts out with the aggressively pouty Daisy (Saoirse Ronan) being sent to the UK to live with her cousins. She’s a germaphobe–reacting badly to the family’s dogs, and scared of the bacteria that may be in the nearby swimming hole. She hears voices in her head that say things like, “Stay away from distractions,” and “Step out of your comfort zone,” and becomes fascinated with Edmond (George MacKay). While the teenage romance eventually starts to catch, a bomb goes off in London and suddenly, How I Live Now turns into a survivalist tale. As Daisy and Piper (Harley Bird) are taken to a camp where they work with potatoes, and they encounter a tense scene at a checkpoint, Daisy plans an escape—a six day trek back to the house—where Daisy believe Edmond awaits. How I Live Now never quite finds the right tone in this girl-power saga. Montages featuring female vocalists are used to depict time passing but they shortcut the narrative drama. The sullen, moody Daisy is largely unlikable, even if she earns viewers’ sympathy because of her predicament. But when Daisy suggests she is a curse because everywhere she goes, “bad shit happens” this is supposed to pass for character development. Much of the film fails to engage or raise any real emotion. The love between Daisy and Edmond is tepid stuff at best, and a would-be creepy sequence of Daisy sifting through a pile of dead bodies (so much for her germophobia) is hardly horrific. There are some nice visual gimmicks in the sci-fi-ish stuff, and there is probably some overarching political allegory, but How I Live Now is dead on arrival. Moreover, the film’s violence and language make it inappropriate for Hunger Game-fan teenagers, who would be the film’s core audience.

Also Opening:

After Tiller An astonishing documentary that puts a human face on the brave work being done by the country’s last late-term abortion doctors.

Great ExpectationsPerhaps viewers can expect great things from Mike Newell’s adaptation of the Dickens’ classic.

Kill Your DarlingsDaniel Radcliffe plays Allen Ginsberg in this dramatization of the Beat poet’s involvement with a murder during his college days at Columbia.

Thor: The Dark World Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Thor in the latest installment of the Norse God’s adventures

The Wicker Man: The Final Cut A re-release of the 1973 classic (not the Nic Cage remake) about a policeman (Edward Woodward) who discovers some unsavory things on an island he visits to investigate the disappearance of a young girl.

]]>http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/11/06/pick-of-the-week-spinning-plates/feed/0http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/11/06/pick-of-the-week-spinning-plates/Docs of the Week: Let the Fire Burn and American Promisehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AroundPhilly/~3/J5N78xBAkg8/
http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/30/docs-of-the-week-let-the-fire-burn-and-american-promise/#commentsWed, 30 Oct 2013 14:11:32 +0000Gary Kramerhttp://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/?p=32993Let the Fire Burn The bombing of MOVE on May 13, 1985 was a devastating event that captured both local and national attention. Then Mayor Wilson Goode authorized the destruction of the compound in the 6200 block of Osage Avenue, an event that created an inferno that killed 11, and [...]]]>

Let the Fire BurnThe bombing of MOVE on May 13, 1985 was a devastating event that captured both local and national attention. Then Mayor Wilson Goode authorized the destruction of the compound in the 6200 block of Osage Avenue, an event that created an inferno that killed 11, and inflamed 61 houses. This documentary, comprised entirely of found footage—including depositions of Michael Moses Ward aka Birdie Africa, and the MOVE commission hearings that were held to recount the tragedy—shows how the police acted beyond the legal limit in their actions leading up to and including the bombing. Let the Fire Burn is not particularly exciting, but the testimonies by LaVerne Sims and Louise James, sisters of MOVE found John Africa, are often quite stirring. While clips from a WPVI documentary on MOVE shown in Let the Fire Burn provide a sense of the organization and their “back to nature” philosophy, seeing the naked children and hearing that the kids were served only raw food is disturbing. But filmmaker Jason Osder allows the testimonies and the footage to speak for itself, especially as the last third of his film depicts the fire as newscasters report the story as it unfolded on the fateful day. Let the Fire Burn ends with a powerful epilogue, though it was completed before Birdie Africa’s recent death, making his story all the more tragic.

American PromiseThat American Promise looks at race, class, and education in America over a dozen plus years is a significant accomplishment. However, this film—about two African American boys attending Dalton—is too narrow in its focus to be anything more than a very specific case study. That does not mean it uninteresting; quite the opposite—the film is highly compelling, and some of the setbacks the teens face are heart-wrenching. American Promise chronicles the development of filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson’s son Idris and his friend Seun as they enter the privileged, mostly white world of a prominent New York private school. As Seun’s mom eloquently states, she wants her son to feel comfortable in a white world—something she does not experience herself. The rigors of the Dalton education certainly take their toll on the two subjects, especially when each is diagnosed with a learning disability. As they mature, and enter 6th grade, things start to fall apart with the kids acting out and experiencing the “extra burden” of their education, which means constant studying, additional tutoring, and more. American Promise captures the episodes that define and distinguish the boys, such as Idris explaining that he has to put on a voice to be with his African American friends, while Seun seems to find more comfort among people of the same race, or when Seun has a crisis in a family situation, Idris struggles with his parents over college applications. American Promise is fascinating throughout and while there is much to be said about the filmmakers’ parenting skills, at least they are not afraid to let themselves been seen poorly on screen.

Also Opening:

About TimeA young man (Domhnall Gleeson) discovers he can travel through time in this romantic fantasy/drama co-starring Rachel McAdamsand Bill Nighy.

Blue Is the Warmest ColorThis NC-17 rated French film—a big award winner at Cannes—depicts a young woman’s coming of age and her experiences with love when she falls for a blue-haired older woman.

DianaNaomi Watts plays the title role of the tragic princess in this biopic set during her final years.

Ender’s GameA sci-fi action film with Harrison Ford, about a young man who must save the human race.

Free BirdsJust in time for Thanksgiving, this animated film tells the story of two turkeys (Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson) trying to stop the holiday.

Last VegasMichael Douglas, Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline co-star in this comedy about a bachelor party for a sixty-something groom.

ZaytounStephen Dorff stars as an Israeli soldier who makes a pact with a young Palestinian boy to escort him back to his homeland.

]]>http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/30/docs-of-the-week-let-the-fire-burn-and-american-promise/feed/0http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/30/docs-of-the-week-let-the-fire-burn-and-american-promise/Flick of the Week: 12 YEARS A SLAVEhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AroundPhilly/~3/7k6eUx5BV5g/
http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/24/flick-of-the-week-12-years-a-slave/#commentsThu, 24 Oct 2013 20:56:01 +0000Gary Kramerhttp://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/?p=3298712 Years a Slave A remarkable, relentless epic, 12 Years a Slave is deserving of all its hype. Steve McQueen has created a phenomenal drama that documents the horrific true story of Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor). A free man in 1841 Saratoga, he is kidnapped, drugged, and sold into slavery, under the name Platt Hamilton, [...]]]>

12 Years a SlaveA remarkable, relentless epic, 12 Years a Slave is deserving of all its hype. Steve McQueen has created a phenomenal drama that documents the horrific true story of Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor). A free man in 1841 Saratoga, he is kidnapped, drugged, and sold into slavery, under the name Platt Hamilton, where he suffers for over a decade. Solomon maintains that he does not want to survive, he wants to live. He is advised not to disclose that he is educated (can read or write), and to do and say as little as possible. While Solomon does not heed that advice when he works for Master Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), he earns Ford’s gratitude by proving himself exceptional. But his efforts also incur the wrath of Tibeats (Paul Dano) and a rivalry breaks out, prompting Ford to deliver Solomon to Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), who owns a field of cotton. Here Solomon’s life becomes increasingly more difficult, and he makes a concerted effort to adapt. 12 Years a Slave exposes all of the injustice Solomon faces—from being lynched on Ford’s farm (a palpably uncomfortable scene) to a series of whippings and abuse by Epps. One of the most painful moments occurs when he is asked by Epps to whip Patsy (Lupito Nyong’o), a female slave he befriends. The film’s realistic depiction of violence, racism, and inequality, makes viewers feel every lash, ever slur, and every demeaning moment. It is grueling to watch, but the discomfort is justly unforgettable, too. This is the most powerful depiction of slavery committed to screen. McQueen does provide minor relief when he cuts away to a shot of a sky to give viewers a chance to absorb what has just happened, but the cumulative power of Solomon’s experience—wrongs he says he promises to get satisfaction for—are staggering. McQueen also makes it a point to showcase tiny moments in the slave characters’ lives that are slightly less grim: from Patsy making cornhusk dolls in a field, or a tender scene in which Mistress Shaw (Alfre Woodard) invites Solomon and Patsy to have tea, and even a scene in which Epps’ slaves sing a spiritual together. 12 Years a Slave is full of despair—but the themes of (in)justice come through, even as viewers hearts are ripped apart by the shameful behavior that is being depicted onscreen. Ejiofor gives an absolutely fantastic performance, conveying his characters’ seething anger through his intense expressions, and Nyong’o is heartbreakingly fine as well. 12 Years a Slave also features strong work from McQueen regular Michael Fassbender and Sarah Paulson, who plays his spiteful, jealous wife. Viewers will hate their evil characters even as they recognize how realistic they are being portrayed. On the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, this film illuminates the depth of this disgraceful period of the American past. It is not to be missed.

Also Opening:

All Is LostRobert Redford stars in this film as a man on a boat, lost at sea.

The CounselorRidley Scott’s thriller, based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel, features Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, and Javier Bardem in a thriller about a lawyer who gets caught up trafficking in drugs.

Jackass Presents: Bad GrandpaIn this comedy, Johnny Knoxville reprises his Irving Zissman character, a crude, inappropriate old man, who takes his 8 year-old grandson on a trip across America, causing devious trouble throughout their journey.

]]>http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/24/flick-of-the-week-12-years-a-slave/feed/0http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/24/flick-of-the-week-12-years-a-slave/The 22nd Philadelphia Film Festivalhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AroundPhilly/~3/O4Tbgt0Lr84/
http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/17/the-22nd-philadelphia-film-festival/#commentsThu, 17 Oct 2013 14:14:38 +0000Gary Kramerhttp://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/?p=32972The 22nd Annual Philadelphia Film Festival opens tonight and runs through October 27. The festival gives moviegoers the chance to preview Oscar-bait like Nebraska and 12 Years a Slave, as well as sneak peaks of forthcoming films from Last Vegas starring Michael Douglas and Robert DeNiro, and the documentary, Let [...]]]>

The 22nd Annual Philadelphia Film Festival opens tonight and runs through October 27. The festival gives moviegoers the chance to preview Oscar-bait like Nebraska and 12 Years a Slave, as well as sneak peaks of forthcoming films from Last Vegas starring Michael Douglas and Robert DeNiro, and the documentary, Let the Fire Burn about the MOVE bombing,at area venues.

Highlights of this year’s program include the opportunity to see a 35mm print of Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven (on its 35th anniversary) as well as a chance to see Paradise: Hope, the third entry in Ulrich Seidl’s Paradise trilogy that began with Paradise: Love and Paradise: Faith, both of which screened at last year’s fest.

Here are a trio of titles to check out this year.

Northwest This gutsy Danish crime drama has 18 year-old Casper (Gustav Dyekjær Giese) earning money by burgling for Jamal (Dulfi Al-Jabouri). However, when Jamal steals Casper’s watch, the teen accepts an offer to do a robbery job for Bjørn (Rolland Møller), who runs a business selling coke and pimping whores. As Casper moves up in the ranks with Bjørn, he enlists his younger brother, Andy (Oscar Dyekjær Giese) to help him out. Soon the brothers have a stash of cash, but they have also escalated a war with revenge-seeking Jamal. Northwest, named after the Copenhagen neighborhood the boys live in, captures the shifting power struggles between the rival gangs—and the brothers—as Casper’s situation becomes increasingly more desperate. When Bjørn asks Casper to execute Jamal to solve the problem, the film builds to its corker of a climax. The characters in Northwest may be fueled by coke and Red Bull, but this tense and terrific thriller generates its excitement by director Michael Noer’s urgent hand-held camerawork and the nervy performances by the brothers.

October 18, 9:30 pm, Ritz Bourse; October 20, 2:35 pm, Cinemark

Awful Nice Dave (Alex Rennie) and his brother Jim (James Pumphrey) ruin their father’s funeral by having a drinking competition and starting a fight at the dinner table. The rivalry between these siblings is established in the opening moments of Awful Nice, a fitfully funny frustration comedy that milks its humor from Jim’s utter obnoxiousness. Jim wears a tuxedo to the funeral, because for him, this is dressing up; on a road trip, however, he refuses to wear pants. Awful Nice chronicles the brothers traveling to Branson, MO, to fix up the house their father left them so they can sell it. Dave’s wife, who knows her husband can’t fix anything beyond a drink, urges him to hire some guys, get the money for the house and come home. However, he feels a bond towards working things out with his brother, despite the fact that Jim’s only work consists of working Dave’s last nerve. This fast-talking comedy is buoyed by the uptight/loose cannon energy of the two leads as they embark on some crazy schemes, such as batting a wasp’s nest with a tennis ball so it will fall to the ground and therefore be easy to run over with the car. For viewers who can appreciate such twisted logic, Awful Nice offers some bellylaughs. All others beware: this is a film that will annoy not charm. For those likely to be tickled by Pumphrey’s manic antics—like eating out of trashcans, or taking dog pills—and Rennie’s (im)patient straight man, this comedy will provide some amusement for its first hour. Alas, the physical humor eventually becomes obvious, and the slapstick becomes more slapdash. Still there are some genuine smiles to be had for viewers who can put up with the idiocy.

October 24, 9:45 pm, Cinemark; October 25, 9:30 pm, Ritz Bourse

Remote Area Medicalis an incredibly compelling documentary that chronicles uninsured folks from rural communities who line up for days at the wee hours of the morning outside a NASCAR racetrack in Tennessee to receive tickets (800 are given out in a day) that will provide them with dental and optical care. The film showcases the noble efforts of volunteers, doctors and assistants who reach out to the poor who have neglected medical care for financial and/or geographical reasons. It is heartbreaking to hear the story of a woman who lives without insurance explain that she doesn’t go to the doctor or the ER. She describes the pride that kept her from getting her broken teeth fixed and the confidence and self-worth she gains by getting the medical attention she needs. Other stories show the joy a man who works as a jeweler finds at learning how to make a set of dentures for an elderly patient, or a woman who is getting glasses she desperately needs. This is an unexpectedly poignant and powerful documentary, one that reinforces Remote Area Medical’s benevolent mission to assist those in need.

October 23, 12:30 pm, Ritz East; October 25, 7:00 pm, Ritz East

]]>http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/17/the-22nd-philadelphia-film-festival/feed/0http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/17/the-22nd-philadelphia-film-festival/The Irish Pub Presents The Haunted Halloween Costume Partyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AroundPhilly/~3/iWWFBfPWD40/
http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/15/the-irish-pub-presents-the-haunted-halloween-costume-party/#commentsTue, 15 Oct 2013 16:29:31 +0000AroundPhilly Staffhttp://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/?p=32962Still looking for something to do this Halloween in Philadelphia? Well, look no further; The Irish Pub has you covered. On Thursday, October 31st (you know, Halloween night), The Irish Pub on 20th and Walnut will be hosting their Haunted Halloween Costume Party from 8pm until close. No cover here! [...]]]>

Still looking for something to do this Halloween in Philadelphia? Well, look no further; The Irish Pub has you covered. On Thursday, October 31st (you know, Halloween night), The Irish Pub on 20th and Walnut will be hosting their Haunted Halloween Costume Party from 8pm until close.

No cover here! All you need to do is show up wearing your best costume and enjoy “scary good” drink specials as well as music from DJ Tommy Techs. The party will be hosted by Justin Allphin and Black Wednesday, and prizes will be awarded for the best costume. So, that means your Walter White getup better be on point if you want to beat out everyone else who decided to go for the obvious choice this year. (Seriously, consider something different, guys. You’ll thank us later.)

Follow The Irish Pub on Facebook for more details on the best Halloween party in Philly, and we’ll see you there on Halloween night!

GravityEye-popping and breathtaking, Gravity is a phenomenal achievement by director/co-writer Alfonso Cuaron. The brilliant, extended opening sequence–one continuous 11-minute take(!)–showcases the sensational cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki as well as some incredible 3D effects. Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) tries to survive in space after satellite debris kills one of her colleagues, and forces her to be tethered to astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney). This plot may be slight, but it generates several exciting sequences, such as the dizzying sequence in which Ryan goes spinning into orbit. Here and throughout the film, Gravity creates the immense feeling of weightlessness. Watching Bullock’s brown eyes widen as she fears for her life is transfixing, and so is Gravity. The film reveals moments of real emotional depth–most notably during Ryan’s monologue, where her tears float towards the audience. Bullock is extraordinary not only in these intimate scenes, but also during the intense moments involving Ryan desperately trying to save her life (and Matt’s) while floating in space. That the film introduces a creaky plot element that is meant to inspire Ryan’s survival may be a minor distraction for some viewers, but overlook that and concentrate on the incredible visuals, as well as the tremendous use of sound, music, and silence. Gravity is truly gripping.

ParklandReleased weeks ahead of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Parkland tells several stories—based on true events—that unfolded in Dallas during the horrible days in history that were November 22-25, 1963. Writer/director Peter Landesman (adapting Vincent Bugliosi’s book Four Days in November) introduces the players and their stories efficiently. Charles “Jim” Carrico (Zac Efron) is a doctor at Parkland hospital where the president is transported after he is shot; Abraham Zapruder (Paul Giamatti) shoots the famous home movie of the president’s assassination, which Secret Service Agent Forrest Sorrels (Billy Bob Thornton) asks him to hand over; Bob Oswald (James Badge Dale) learns that his brother Lee Harvey (Jeremy Strong) has been arrested for the shocking crime, and visits his brother and his mother (Jackie Weaver), who shares wild theories about her son; and James Hosty (Ron Livingston) is an FBI agent who was following Oswald at the time of the assassination.

Parkland uses these interlocking stories to present microcosms of grief that show how JFK’s death affected these individuals separately and collectively and, by extension, the nation as a whole. However, the parts here are greater than the sum. The urgency of the assassination is not nearly as striking as the scenes in the O.R. as Carrico works to save the president’s life. As the doctor tries to revive his patient, even as the flatline indicates death, the scene manages—albeit barely—to evoke some emotion, then goes overboard when Jackie Kennedy (Kat Steffens) arrives.

The rest of the film is equal parts hit or miss. A dispute that arises when the local medical examiner insists on keeping the body in Texas, as per law, is an interesting diversion, but it serves mostly to illustrate that Parkland is a series of loosely connected anecdotes that never build to any great crescendo. When one character remarks, “Nothing is ever going to be the same,” the line has no impact.

Even moments that revolve around one character are uneven. The early scenes of Zapruder reacting to the shooting are played broadly, whereas Landesman achieves a more graceful moment in a scene that shows the assassination footage reflected in Zapruder’s eyeglasses. The image of the man watching the striking footage he shot effectively conveys his emotions to viewers.

Landesman nicely incorporates the archive footage of Kennedy with the Zapruder video, given the small scale and narrow focus of the film, but he also includes cringe-inducing scenes of Secret Service men trying to accommodate the president’s coffin on the plane. A sequence that cross-cuts between Oswald’s burial and Agent Hosty burning his file on Oswald is also heavy-handed.

Even the acting ranges from subtle—James Badge Dale gives a rather poignant performance in his difficult role—to over-the-top in Jackie Weaver’s case. Zac Efron is miscast as Carrico here; he just seems out of his league; Marcia Gay Harden, the head nurse, easily upstages him. Even Paul Giamatti, who is well suited to his role, fares poorly, sabotaged by the lame script.

Ultimately, Parkland is an earnest effort that is more leaden than solemn.

Also Opening

Haute CuisineA benign, but handsomely mounted film about the woman (Catherine Frot) who worked briefly as a personal chef for François Mitterrand (Jean d’Ormesson). While her cooking pleased the French President, his staff appreciated her less, causing heat in and out of the kitchen.

Runner RunnerBen Affleck and Justin Timberlake co-star in this film about online gambler who may have met his match.

WadjdaThe first film directed by a Saudi woman, Haifaa Al-Mansour, Wadjda is an outstanding–and deceptively simple–film about a young girl (Waad Mohammed) who only wants a bicycle. She hatches a plan to study the Koran to win a contest to get the money she needs to by the bike. Mohammed is utterly charming in the lead role and Al-Mansour’s film is highly satisfying. GO.

Wedding PalaceA Korean-American comedy about a man (Brian To) who must marry before he turns 30 to break his family’s curse.

]]>http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/04/flicks-of-the-week-gravity-parkland/feed/0http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/10/04/flicks-of-the-week-gravity-parkland/Flicks of the Week: DON JON, RUSH, and THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALIhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AroundPhilly/~3/AkNX3RhOwfU/
http://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/2013/09/27/flicks-of-the-week-don-jon-rush-and-the-trials-of-muhammad-ali/#commentsFri, 27 Sep 2013 13:24:27 +0000Gary Kramerhttp://www.aroundphilly.com/blog/?p=32929Don Jon Joseph Gordon-Levitt displays his abundant talents writing, directing and starring in Don Jon. He also displays his buff body, which is one of the things his character, Don, an Italian guy in New Jersey, cares about–along with his pad, his ride (a Chevette SS), his family, the church, [...]]]>

Don JonJoseph Gordon-Levitt displays his abundant talents writing, directing and starring in Don Jon. He also displays his buff body, which is one of the things his character, Don, an Italian guy in New Jersey, cares about–along with his pad, his ride (a Chevette SS), his family, the church, his boys, his girls, and his porn. Yes, his porn. Don cares about his porn so much, he says it’s better than sex with a real person. And viewer will laugh at–if not agree with–his reasoning for this, which is amusingly explained. Don Jon chronicles how its title character gets into a bit of romantic trouble when he falls for Barbara (Scarlett Johansson), a “dime” (10 out of 10) who makes him play the long game of romance. They kiss, they grind, she meets his friends, she meets his family, and they eventually sleep together. But when she catches him naked and pleasuring himself at his computer, she gets peeved, and the drama begins. Significantly, Don Jon adheres to, spoofs, and then gleefully breaks the formula of a rom-com, as the film’s protagonist slowly develops a friendship with Esther (Julianne Moore), a sad and needy classmate he meets in the night school Barbara encourages Jon to attend. And oddly, this narrative pivot grows tender as Esther teaches Jon life lessons about emotion and connecting to people. A post-coital scene they have in a car, sharing a joint is perhaps the film’s most honest, and real moment. It also magnifies Jon’s beliefs and his foibles. To wit, Jon has his routine, and Gordon-Levitt conveys this authentically, with slickly edited scenes that capture the rhythm of Jon’s life and when/how he deviates from it. His deft portrayal of the hero’s coming of age and getting of wisdom shows heart, and that’s what makes this film worthwhile. If the film’s male/female dynamics are a bit facile, the comedy is still pretty funny and knowing about its characters–right down to the terrific costumes, such as a revealing blue dress Barbara wears to church. And Johansson is pretty great in her role as a gum-chewing Jersey girl. Don Jon may be flawed, like its title character, but it’s ingratiating too. Gordon-Levitt has made a promising feature directorial debut.

RushThis fantastic Formula One film chronicles the escalating rivalry between the aggressive but charming Brit James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and the practical but blunt Austrian Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl). These two men vie–grudge match-style–for the World Champion title in 1976. Whereas Hunt drives with his heart, Lauda races with his head, and they feed off the other playing catch-me-if-you-can on the track and off. The script, by Peter Morgan (The Queen and Frost/Nixon) shows how their edgy, competitive nature began six years prior to the climatic race, but it wisely emphasizes that even with their teasing, they truly respected each other. When they speak candidly in public or in private, Rush shows their true sportsmanship, which gives heart and adds depth to the characters. This focus on the human drama is important because the intense racing sequences are the focus of the exciting second act. Rush gets viewers behind the wheel of these fast cars to experience the danger and thrills of racing and it provides a heady rush. The filmalso boasts enjoyable sequences as when Lauda and Marlene (Alexandra Maria Lara) hitch a ride from two Italians who are less impressed by the beautiful woman and more taken by the fact that Lauda is driving their car. Even though the story holds no surprises for those who know the outcome of the races, Rush is still pretty pulse-pounding.

The Trials of Muhammad AliThis interesting documentary on a much covered subject opens with alternate viewpoints celebrating and castigating boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Director Bill Siegel shrewdly edits photographs and footage as he comes to explain Ali’s childhood, boxing career–which includes winning a gold medal in the 1960s Olympics–and his embracing the Nation of Islam. He insisted people acknowledge him by his Muslim name, and specifically punished his opponents who failed to do so in the ring. The Trials of Muhammad Ali emphasizes the importance of Ali’s Muslim religion and his name, providing a detailed history of Nation of Islam’s Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X and Ali’s study under both of these teachers, who eventually parted ways. It was also around this time that Ali was drafted for the Army, but he claimed to be a conscientious objector citing his religious beliefs. As a result, Ali faced five years in prison if convicted. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Trials of Muhammad Ali recounts these events studiously, with interviews with Ali’s ex-wife, brother, and sponsors who all comment on their support while interview footage of his detractors provide the opposing viewpoint. While there are efforts to show other sports- and race-based protests (e.g. Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City) to emphasize the attitudes of the era, what emerges most here is that Ali had the courage of his convictions. Ali remains a beloved, if polarizing figure in American history, and The Trials of Muhammad Ali does its subject justice even as it tells its story slowly, not slicky.

Also Opening

Enough SaidIn this romantic comedy-drama by Nicole Holofcener, a woman (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), finds love with her client’s ex-husband (James Gandolfini, in his last film appearance).